The Virtue of Patience (Part 4)

Where Are You When It Comes To Patience?

It is spiritually incumbent upon the believer to express patience in their lives as a testimony to what God can do.  Remember, patience, is the "will to wait upon God without irritation, frustration, worry, anxiety, fear or anger."  Many people don't recognize the lack of patience in their life.  To help  you identify where you are on the patience scale, consider the following questions:

• How do you react to the lack of patience in yourself?

• What feelings do you experience when you're impatient?

• What negative consequences have you experienced when you were impatient?

• What thoughts block your ability to be patient?

• What thoughts would help you gain patience?

• What behavior do you need to change in order to be more patient?

• When presented with a problem, difficulty, or conflict, where do you rate on the patience scale of 1-10, with 10 being most impatience?

Considering these questions "honestly" will help you to see where you are in regards to patience, and what you can do to develop this fruit of patience in your life.

 How To Develop Patience

There are several steps you can take to develop this virtue of patience in your life.  

• Recognize "difficulties" as opportunities.  This requires are "mindset" change and it often comes over time.  It's a situation where you recognize the problems that generally upset you and you make a "conscious" decision to view them as opportunities for growth.

• Accept that you have personal responsibility but also that you are human and can make mistakes.  Don't expect perfection, but do expect growth and change in the area of patience.  When you do make a mistake, then be willing to forgive yourself.

• Remember patience is a "Fruit of the Spirit."  God will develop it in your life as you experience and go through trials and tribulations.

• Remember, faith and patience are intermingled.  James 1:2-4

Patience In Conflict

The times that it is the most difficult to express patience is usually during the times of conflict.  There are eight steps you can follow that will help you be patient when conflict arises:

1. Pray
2. Control your thoughts
3. Control your emotions
4. Refrain from forcing your opinion
5. Listen without reacting
6. Forgive
7. Express encouraging words
8. Have a positive attitude

Patience is necessary in many areas of our life.  It is a virtue that, when demonstrated, can have a great impact on the lives of those who see it.  What are you doing to be more patient with those in your circle of influence?  What are you doing to be more patient with those "outside" your circle who you barely know?  Your patience can make all the difference in the world.